A beloved Texas institution that has delighted generations with its handcrafted sweets is saying goodbye. Lammes Candies, which first opened its doors in 1885, announced it will wind down operations due to challenging economic conditions and shifts in the marketplace. The family-owned business, known for its flagship store in Austin and several other locations, is closing stores including those in Hillside, Lakeline Mall, and Round Rock.
Customers flocked to the Austin location on Airport Boulevard right after the news broke, filling the parking lot and creating a sense of nostalgia in the aisles. The company shared the difficult decision in a statement, noting it had carefully reviewed long-term sustainability before choosing an orderly closure. They plan to fulfill existing orders and support employees during the transition, with more details on timelines to come.
“This was not an easy decision,” the ownership team said. “Lammes Candies has been more than a business — it has been a family legacy spanning generations. We are deeply grateful to our employees, customers and community for their unwavering support over the last 141 years.”
The story of Lammes began in 1878 when William Wirt Lamme started the Red Front Candy Factory in Austin. After losing the business in a poker game in 1885, his son David Turner Lamme Sr. reclaimed it by repaying the debt. The company officially launched on July 10, 1885, and grew from selling ice cream and frozen desserts to famous chocolates starting in 1965. Its signature Texas Chewie Pecan Praline, first made in 1892, remains a customer favorite.
Now run by the fifth generation — siblings Pam, Bryan, and Lana Lamme — the business has been a true Texas tradition for more than a century. While some locations have already closed, the Austin flagship will stay open a bit longer as the family completes this final chapter. For many, it marks the end of an era filled with sweet memories and classic flavors that defined celebrations across the Lone Star State.